Pellegrini Back at Trigoria, Recovering from Thigh Injury

Roma resumed training at Trigoria on 11 August following a spell at a Welsh training camp, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini welcoming back key figures and new arrivals. Manu Koné returned from post-World Cup leave and is set to remain at the club barring an irresistible offer, with Chelsea having made only a tentative enquiry. Argentine winger Nahuel Molina arrived at Ciampino on 10 August in front of approximately 200 celebrating supporters and signed a four-year contract on 11 August, becoming immediately available for selection. Lorenzo Pellegrini, fresh from renewing his contract, will not yet feature, as he completes final physiotherapy for a right thigh muscle injury recurrence. The midfielder will rejoin the squad only after 15 August. Pellegrini's absence is the sole notable absence from an otherwise buoyant day at Trigoria, where Gasperini begins preparations with a reinforced squad ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Mario Hermoso left the field early in the second half during Roma's 3–0 friendly defeat to Brighton on 8 August after a collision caused sharp pain in his left ankle, but head coach Gian Piero Gasperini withdrew him purely as a precaution rather than due to any inability to continue play. The Spanish defender is expected to be fit and available for Roma's next test against Borussia Dortmund on 15 August. Roma's heavy loss to Brighton came without the additional concern of a serious injury to their defence. Gasperini's decision to substitute Hermoso reflected a cautious approach to the player's status ahead of the Dortmund fixture, which will serve as further preparation before the competitive season begins.

Roma lost 3–0 to Brighton in a friendly at the Falmer Stadium but came away reassured over Mario Hermoso's fitness after the Spanish defender suffered an ankle problem early in the second half. Following a collision with a Brighton player, Hermoso remained on the ground in pain with a left ankle issue. Gasperini opted to substitute him as a precautionary measure, and Hermoso walked off the pitch unaided before taking a seat on the bench to watch the remainder of the match. According to reports, Hermoso's condition does not give cause for serious concern. The withdrawal was purely protective rather than a response to a significant injury, allowing the Roma coaching staff to err on the side of caution with a key defensive player. Gasperini is expected to have Hermoso available for Roma's next friendly fixture, a match against Borussia Dortmund.

Roma continues to struggle in finding an attacking left winger, prompting head coach Gian Piero Gasperini to evaluate a significant tactical overhaul for the 2026–27 season. High costs and a lack of suitable profiles have left the position unfilled despite sustained efforts, pushing the club to consider a strategic change in formation. The proposal would move away from two attacking midfielders supporting a single striker toward a system with one attacking midfielder behind two forwards. This tactical shift would align with Roma's recent recruitment priorities, including reported interest in players such as Rodrigo Mora and Endrick. With attacking options like Donyell Malen, a forward identified as Castro, and Robinio Vaz already in the squad, alongside creative midfielders of the calibre of Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini, Roma would have the versatility to reshape its attacking setup to suit the strengths of its available players and adapt the system to their characteristics.

Roma resumed training at Trigoria on 11 August following a spell at a Welsh training camp, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini welcoming back key figures and new arrivals. Manu Koné returned from post-World Cup leave and is set to remain at the club barring an irresistible offer, with Chelsea having made only a tentative enquiry. Argentine winger Nahuel Molina arrived at Ciampino on 10 August in front of approximately 200 celebrating supporters and signed a four-year contract on 11 August, becoming immediately available for selection. Lorenzo Pellegrini, fresh from renewing his contract, will not yet feature, as he completes final physiotherapy for a right thigh muscle injury recurrence. The midfielder will rejoin the squad only after 15 August. Pellegrini's absence is the sole notable absence from an otherwise buoyant day at Trigoria, where Gasperini begins preparations with a reinforced squad ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Roma have moved decisively in the transfer market, with nineteen-year-old Porto forward Rodrigo Mora close to joining the club and Argentine right-back Nahuel Molina officially arriving in the capital. Molina landed at Ciampino airport after Roma agreed a deal with Atlético Madrid worth 13 million euros plus 4 million in bonuses. He will replace Zeki Çelik on the right flank. The Mora deal is in its final stages, with Roma having worked extensively to fend off competition from Galatasaray. Porto president André Villas-Boas has agreed terms involving 25 million euros upfront—with 50 per cent of any future resale profit returning to Porto—plus a further 25 million euros in 2027. Mora will sign a five-year contract, a profile that immediately impressed head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The move accelerates after the Endrick pursuit collapsed, with the Brazilian now bound for Real Madrid. With midfielder Manu Koné returning to full availability and expected returns of Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the horizon, Gasperini is building squad depth. Roma are also monitoring possible departures of Matías Soulé and Neil El Aynaoui to maintain financial balance, but the focus is on assembling a competitive, technically strong group ready for Serie A and European football.